Page 3 of Sawyer
Her suspicious tone almost sent hysterical laughter gushing from his throat. She was worried about some snarky comment at the end? Yeah, that wasn’t on the menu. His new art career was, and this after he’d received his first commissions last night from Axel and Carl Adams, Brooke’s father and Nanine’s fiancé. As if that wasn’t mind-blowing enough…
Had the cosmos shifted?
Had the Three Fates altered his thread of destiny?
“Oh my God, Sawyer!” Thea practically shrieked, her newspaper cracking as she gave it a happy shake. “Your paintings are mentioned.”
Dean rose and walked over, gripping his shoulder. Sawyer was glad for its weight, bringing him back down to earth. “Hang on! I’m so reading the end out loud. ‘I would beremiss not to mention that the new artwork at Nanine’s is equally intoxicating as is the exquisite cuisine. On your visit, you will noticeThe Women of Nanine’sas well as a portrait of the founder and famed chef who has stepped back for health reasons, Nanine Laurent. There are also vines gracing the walls, painted by the same artist, and a new hand-painted sign to welcome patrons.’”
“Me next!” Brooke shot out of her chair and put her hand on Dean’s arm. “‘The artist is Dr. Sawyer Jackson, an art professor at the University of Maryland on sabbatical here in Paris. He is a former summer intern at the restaurant some ten years ago and part of the new Paris Roommates Group that has invested in Nanine’s for the new renovation.’”
“God, could it get any better?” Dean asked, shaking Sawyer like he was a caroler in a snow globe.
“Yes!” Brooke cried. “‘Patrons enjoyed the Wall of Fame in the former Nanine’s with signed photos from celebrities like Meryl Streep and Ryan Gosling, along with a prized photo and handwritten note from Andy Warhol. Art lovers will hear theecho of such greatsas they view Dr. Jackson’s works for their deeply emotional, brilliantly colorful, heartfelt depiction of the true strength of women such as Nanine Laurent. We can only hope that Dr. Jackson will soon grace Paris with his first art show.’ My God, this is the best review since Alexander McQueen’s fall 2006 show.”
The art show part had Sawyer’s insides shifting like tectonic plates. This was the Janus coin of dreams. One side: ultimate dream. The other: ultimate nightmare. Every time he picked up his paintbrush, he agonized over whether he could create anything meaningful. Then upon completion, his only thought was whether it was good enough, a legacy from his mother. Now he had a few trusted people who knew art telling him that it was. His euphoric buzz was bursting like an overfilled helium balloon.
“I’m so crying.”
Thea’s heartbreaking announcement spurred his inner gentleman to dig into his pocket for his cloth handkerchief. He held it out at the exact same time as Jean Luc made the same offer. The two of them shared a wry smile as Sawyer returned his handkerchief to his pocket.
“This review is everything we could have ever wanted,” Jean Luc stated, putting his arm around Thea as she dabbed tears. “The French are not usually so vociferous in their praise.”
“I know!” Thea wobbled a bit as she stood and leaned into her fiancé. “But for him to add in Sawyer…and me! We have so much to be grateful for.”
Even Brooke was sniffing now. “I know Jean Luc said it, but it’s so rare to get a review like this in Paris, where critics can eviscerate the best?—”
“No negative talk today.” Kyle gave one of his Golden Boy smiles, no trace of his earlier stress over the restaurant opening evident. “We’re going to celebrate this win! Hard.”
Madison finally stood, letting go of her death grip on the newspaper but tucking it with crisp efficiency under her arm. “No, we get back to work. We have to cook again tonight, remember? One night does not make a restaurant.”
Jesus, no denying she was right. “Sometimes I think your work is harder, Madison. You have to create hundreds of masterpieces every night. Plate by plate.”
Everyone turned to regard her. She gave a lengthy eye roll, but while her smile might be spare, it had a Mona Lisa quality. “You know how it is, Doc. One masterpiece at a time. We do it because we love it.”
Dean slapped his forehead. “That’s it? This restaurant—you, Thea,andSawyer—get a review that takes you to a new level, and you’re all stone cold?—”
Madison only cocked her black eyebrows, a long line of lean badass. “I didn’t say it wasn’t great, Dean. I’m thrilled for all of us. It’s a terrific bonus, Thea’s new bakery andSawyer’s art being mentioned. But the pressure will be even greater after this. And doors open at seven.”
Kyle sidled up to Madison. “Good thing you’re up for it.”
“Yes, me and the staff.” She tugged on the end of her black chef’s jacket as if preparing for the next battle. “Speaking of. I need to wake Pierre from his nap. We have a lot to do. Nanine, would you like to come with me and tell the staff about this review?”
Nanine gave a soft smile as she finally lowered her trembling hand to her thigh, her high cheekbones flushed with emotion. “No,chérie,you arechef de cuisinenow. It is your right. I will join later.”
Madison nodded and took off toward the front door of Nanine’s apartment.
Dean gestured passionately toward her. “We’re not even popping the champagne? We’ve been working since August to reopen the restaurant?—”
“I’ll have one later, Dean,” Madison called over her shoulder. “After we close tonight. But you should all have a toast. Maybe grab something stronger for Sawyer, though. He looks like he’s going to stroke out.”
Someone gave him a brotherly smack.
“You still breathing, Doc?” Kyle asked as he pulled his phone out of his pocket and turned it on.
“Barely.” He wanted to gather up the article to his heart and absorb its words into his very flesh—or glue it to one of his easels to remind him in a doubt-riddled moment. “My whole life just wentwhew!”
“Yes, it did, Sawyer.” Brooke grabbed Kyle’s former seat and enveloped him in a hug. “Big-time. You’re going to have people ringing your ears off.”
